Monument record MDO8771 - 14 Wick Lane, Christchurch; Medieval activity

An archaeological evaluation at 14 Wick Lane, Christchurch, during 1991, revealed evidence for medieval activity. This comprised angular pits containing medieval pottery and five probable post-holes of uncertain date close to the Silver Street frontage. A pit with vertical sides in the central part of the site also contained medieval pottery. Medieval lenses and layers were also recorded at the Wick Lane frontage.

Poole Museums Service Archaeological Unit conducted an archaeological evaluation at 14 Wick Lane, Christchurch, during 1991in advance of residential development . The results were subsequently published as a short note in PDNHAS volume 107 (1) Although much of the monument description below is derived from an unpublished client report (2).

Excavation of three evaluation trenches and a test pit revealed evidence for medieval activity. Trench 1, at the west end of the side, parallel to the Silver Street frontage, contained two angular pits [23 & 24] extending under the western edge at the north end of the trench. They were cut into the natural sand and were filled with slightly darker sand. An exploratory excavation to the south produce 12 sherds of medieval pottery and the jaw bone of a small mammal. The function of these pits is uncertain.

In the central and southern part of Trench 1 five possible oval post-holes [ 18-22]were revealed. [20] was excavated to a depth of 150mm but contained no pottery. [18 & 19] at the southern end of the trench contained small amounts of medieval pottery.

A pit [5] with almost vertical sides was revealed in the centre of Trench 3, which was itself located in the central part of the site. This pit was cut by post medieval pit [13] and was excavated to a depth of 1.5m below ground level but was not bottomed. It contained several sherds of medieval pottery.

Medieval lenses and layers were also recorded in Trenches 3 and 4 (test pit) along the Wick Lane frontage, although a subsequent watching brief showed that much of this area had been disturbed in the post-medieval period.

Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1992, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1991, 181 (Serial). SDO91.

<1> Watkins D R, 1991, 14 Wick Lane, Christchurch, 181 (Article in serial). SWX8713.

<2> Watkins D R, 1991, Archaeological Assessment at 14 Wick Lane, Christchurch, Dorset. (Unpublished document). SDO10154.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2011 11:42AM